News Release

Fatality on Maryland Heights

Date: October 21, 2017
Contact: Melissa Boyce, 304-535-6268

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Md. – At approximately 2:30pm on October 20, 2017 the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Law Enforcement Rangers were notified that an 18 year old male had fallen from the Maryland Heights Overlook within Washington County, Maryland. Rangers responded to the scene along with Washington County Fire and EMS. They confirmed that the victim was deceased and began recovery operations. He was transported to Baltimore, Maryland for an autopsy. The National Park Service and Maryland State Medical Examiner’s Office are investigating this incident and will release further details pending family member notification.

The Maryland Heights area of the park is a popular hiking destination in the region and affords beautiful views of the town of Harpers Ferry and the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers. All trails and climbing routes re-opened once the recovery operations were complete. No immediate safety concerns or suspicious circumstances were discovered through the preliminary investigation.

For more information about the park, please visit www.nps.gov/hafe or call 304-535-6029.